MATCH PREVIEW V READING

New loan signing Conor raring to go as he looks forward to working with boss

Conor Sammon is relishing the chance of working for Mick McCarthy at Town after joining the Club on loan from Derby.

The Republic of Ireland international has travelled with the squad to Reading for Saturday’s game with the paperwork on his year-long loan expected to be completed in time for him to be available for selection.

“Once I became aware that the gaffer was interested in bringing me to Ipswich, it was an opportunity that really excited me,” Conor told the Club website.

“I have always admired the manager from the time he was in charge of the Ireland national team. He is very straight, very honest. He came across that way in the interviews I used to see him do from years ago and from the conversations I’ve had with him, he’s exactly the same now.

“I’m looking forward to working under him. I think I’m the type of player that will suit what the gaffer wants from his players and how the team is here.

“Last season was a frustrating one for me on a personal level at Derby, even though the team had a successful season and were close to getting promoted.

“It was difficult training through the week knowing that you weren’t going to be playing on the Saturday. Coming to Ipswich gives me a new opportunity to really fight for a place in the team. Hopefully it can be a very successful loan for me and the Club.”

Team news

Reading: Hal Robson-Kanu, Danny Williams, Jem Karacan, Garath McCleary and Danny Guthrie are all sidelined. New signing Anton Ferdinand is unlikely to feature after being short on match fitness.

Town: Blues have been boosted by the return of a whole host of players who missed the Capital One Cup defeat by Crawley, with Tommy Smith, Daryl Murphy, David McGoldrick, Jonathan Parr and Paul Anderson all included in the squad. Former Royal Stephen Hunt is an absentee as he recovers from a calf injury while Cameron Stewart is out for six weeks with a broken jaw.

Where they finished last season

Reading - 7th

Town - 9th

Worn both badges

Jay Tabb

The midfielder spent four years at Reading and helped them win promotion to the Premier League in that time. He made more than 100 appearances for the Royals before joining Blues on loan for the closing stages of the 2012/13 season and then making a permanent switch in the summer of 2013. He marked his first return to the Madejski Stadium last season in Town colours by scoring but Nigel Adkins’ side recovered to win 2-1.

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